Semaphore-controller.



T. F. MoANDREWS & J. E. BLEIBTREY.

SEMAPHORE CONTROLLER.

APPLICATION 311.31 0012. 19, 1908.

Patented June 8, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

file i6 trey A TTOHNEYS 'c WASHINGTON. n. c.

T. F. MQANDREWS & J. B; BLEIBTREY.

SEMAPHORE CONTROLLER.

APPLIOATION I'll-ED OUT. 19, 1908.

Patented June 8, 1909.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ATTORNEYS T. F. MQANDREWS J E. BLEIBTREY.

SEMAPHORE CONTROLLER,

APPLICATION FILED 001'. 19, 1908.

4 SEBETS-SHEET 3.

Patented June 8,1909.

74 ,2 1 117 BlezZZz-ey A non/v5 rs WITNESS Patented June 8, 1909.

4 SHEETS SHEET 4.

A TTOHNE Y8 T. P. MoANDRBWS & J. E. B-LEIBTREY.

SEMAPHORE CONTROLLER. APPLIOATIOH FILED 001'. 1 9, 1 908.

- wmvsss s 1HE NORRIS PETERS 60-, WASHINGTON. n, c.

UNITE I STATES FATE TQE.

THOMAS FRANGIES MCANDREWS AND JOHN E. BLEIBTREY, OF WATERFORD, NEW YORK.

SEMAPI-IORE-CONTROLLER.

Specification of Letters Patent;

Application filed October 19, 1908.

Patented June 8, 1909.

Serial No. 458,425.

To allwhom it may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS FRANCIES McANDREws and JOHN E. BLEIBTREY, both citizens of the United States, and residents of Waterford, in the county of Saratoga and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Semaphore-Controller, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to certain improvements in electrically-controlled operating means for signals, and the invention cons1s ts pr1marily in the mechanism for transmlttmg motion from the gear wheel employed to the signal operating rod.

The mvention also consists in the means for locking the rod against return movement after its operation by the motor, and in the means for controlling the motor and the electromagnet included in the locking device.

Among the important objects of the invention may be enumerated, the grant of sufficlent time for the motor to ac uire a momentum before it takes on the fu load, the increase of the speed of the rod in respect to the operating lever therefor, and t e automatic control of the motor. Reference is to be had to the accompanymg drawings, formin a part of this specification, in which simi ar characters of reference lndicate corres onding parts in all the figures, and in whic Figure 1 is an end view of a semaphore and operating means therefor, constructed 1n accordance with our invention, the electrlc circuit being illustrated diagrammatically; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the operatmg mechanism, the arm being locked in lowered position and the casing of the operating means being shown in section; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts in the position they occupy when the arm is locked in its raised position and Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 8.

Our improved operating mechanism is adapted for use in connection with any form of semaphore or other signal, but for purposes of illustration, we have shown a simple signal arm 10, mounted upon a pivot 11 and operatively connected by a link 12 to a vertically-reciprocating rod 13. As the rod is moved upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 1, the arm is swung downwardly to safety position, but when the rod is moved downwardly, the arm is swung outwardly to danger position, as illustrated in dotted lines. We do not claim any novelty in this form of signal by the term signal as used hereinafter in the specification and claims. We desire to designate any signal whatsoever which is capable of being operated di-' rectlg or indirectly by the reciprocation of a ro Adjacent the base of the tower which carries the signal or in any other suitable position, we mount our improved operating mechanism which has as its prime mover, an electric motor 14. Upon the main shaft of the motor is a worm 15 meshing with a Worm Wheel 16 mounted on a transversely-extending shaft 17. This shaft carries a small inion 18 meshing with a large gear whee 19 mounted on a transverse shaft 20. The relative sizes of the worm and worm wheel and the pinion and gear wheel, are such that the gear wheel is moved comparatively slowly upon the rapid rotation of the armature shaft of the motor. The motor, as well as the gear wheel 19 driven thereby, is adapted to rotate in but one direction, and the gear wheel is connected so that it operates the signal while rotating,'but the signal may be arranged to operate in the reverse direction while the gear wheel and motor remain stationary.

For operating the rod 13 of the signal by the rotation of the gear Wheel, a lever 21 is loosely mounted on the shaft 20 and has one end operatively connected to the rod 13 and the opposite end adapted to be locked to the gear wheel, so as to be rotated about the shaft20 as a center u on the rotation of the gear wheel. This 100 ring means preferably includes a pinion 22 carried by the arm 21 at one end thereof and meshing with the gear wheel 19. Rigid with the gear wheel 22 is a cam 23, the rotation of which may be prevented by the engagement of a pivoted dog or pawl 24. By locking the cam and pinion against rotation, the arm 21 can be moved only by the rotation of the gear wheel 19. Upon unlocking the cam, the lever may move by the rotation of the pinionalong the stationary gear. The lever 21 carries an electromagnet 25, the armature 26 of which is secured to the pawl or dog 24, so that by the energizing of the magnet the cam and pinion may be locked against rotation.

In the 0 eration of the mechanism, it is desirable t at the electromagnet be auto matically stop ed when the rod 1.3 has been moved to the limiting position in one direction, but that the circuit through the electromagnet remain closed at this time, so as to prevent the return movement of the rod independently of the motor. It is also desirable that the circuit through the magnet be broken either automatically or manually when the signal is operated. For accomplishing this, there is provided a main electric circuit 27, including a suitable source of electrical energy 28 and a switch 29, which switch may be operated by the passage of a train, or be operated manually by the train despatcher or other employee. The main circuit passes through the electromagnet 25, so that it is energized at all times while the switch is closed. The electric motor 14 is not located in the main circuit but is located in a shunt 30 which eXtends around the electromagnet and which includes a circuit breaker operated automatically by the controlling mechanism itself. This circuit breaker may be of any suitable character, but, as illustrated, it includes two spring con tacts 31, connected to the opposite ends of the wire and adapted to be electrically connected by a spring switch member 32 movable into position between the two contacts. This switch member is carried by a reciproeating bar 33, the lower end of which is connected by a link 34 to a crank arm 35. This arm is secured to a small countershaft 36, which latter carries a second crank arm 37 connected by a link 38 to the electro magnet 25. The crank arms 35, 37 extend in opposite directions from the countershaft 36, so that they together constitute a lever pivoted intermediate its ends. With the lever 21 in the position indicated in Figs. 1 and 2, the bar 33 is in its upper position and the circuit through the motor is broken, although the current may continue to flow through the magnet 25 and hold the lever 21 locked to the gear.

As previously stated, the end of the lever 21 opposite to the pinion 22 is operatively connected to the rod 13, but there is preferably employed such operative connection as will enable the rod to have the maximum movement in comparison to the extent of movement of the lever 21, and will enable the motor to acquire a certain momentum before the full load is thrown on. For accomplishing this, we preferably employ a double toggle joint in combination with means for shifting the point of application of the load to the lever 21. To the lower end of the rod 13, are pivotally connected two toggle links 39, 39, and to the lower ends of these links are pivotally connected two toggle links 40, 40, which latter are pivoted together at their lower ends. The pivot pin 41 which connects together the lower ends of the two links 40, 40, also connects them to one end of a link 42, the opposite end of which is connected to the lever 21. The pivot pins 43, which connect the links 39 to the links 40, extend through inclined slots or guideways 44 in the frame of the device, and these slots or guideways are so disposed that as the pins 43 are raised, they are drawn toward each other, while the lowering movement tends to separate them and decrease the distance between the pin 41 and the lower end. of the rod. 13. The pin 4]. at the lower end operates in a slot or guideway 45 in direct alinmnent with the rod 13, so that a vertical movement of the latter is insured. The link 42 which connects the lower end of the toggle joint to the lever 21, is provided with a slot 46, which receives a pin 47 adjacent the end of the lever, and said link also carries a hook or projection 48 for engaging with a second pin 49 on the lever 21, and disposed intermediate the pin 47 and the shaft 20. The projection 48 is out of engagement with the pin 49 and the pin 47 is at the upper end of the slot 46 at all times save when the load is in its lowermost position, that is, as illustrated in Fig. 3. At this time, the projection 4.3

rests upon the pin 49 and constitutes the pivotal connection between the lever and the link. 11s the pin 49 is nearer to the shaft 20 than is the pin 47, it is evident that a given movement of the motor at this time produces a smaller movement of the rod 13 than is produced by a corresponding movement of the motor when the pin 47 constitutes the pivotal connection. At the time the motor starts, the link 42 is moved by the pin 49 until the motor acquires a momentum and until the pin 47 reaches the end of the slot 46. The motor having now acquired a fair speed under a comparatively light load, the point of application of the load is shifted from the pin 4-9 to the pin 47, and this increased leverage together with the increased movement produced by the toggle joint, raises the rod 13 to its limiting extent during a comparatively short interval of time. In order to retard the speed of the rod 13 and to render its action more uniform, there is preferably provided a dash-pot supported upon the side of the frame ol' the device, and including a cylinder 50 and a piston 51. The piston rod 52 may be connected to the rod 13 in any suitable manner, as, for instance, by connecting it to an ex tension 53 of the pin which connects the rod 13 to the toggle links 39.

When it is desired to operate the signal, the circuit through the electromagnet is broken by the opening of the switch 29, and the weight of the rod 13 and the parts operatively connected thereto, is sullicient to swing the lever 21 independently of the gear closed at the switch 29.

19, as the pinion 22 can now rotate freely along the surface of the gear. After the unlocking of the cam 23 by the breaking of the circuit, gravity alone is relied upon to hold the signal, although it is evident that a spring or any other suitable means desired may be utilized for bringing about this action. As the circuit closer 32 is connected to the arm 21, it is evident that the lower ing of the rod 13 serves to close the shunt through the electric motor, but the motor will not be operated as the main circuit is broken at the switch 29. The parts will now be in the position indicated in Fig. 3.

When it is desired to move the signal in the reverse direction, the main circuit is This brings the electromagnet into operation to lock the lever to the gear wheel, and it also starts the motor in operation. The rotation of the gear wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow, swings the arm 21 and lifts the rod 13 against the action of gravity or other operating force. The movement continues until the shunt through the motor is broken at the circuit closer 32, although the current through the electromagnet continues to flow so long as the switch 29 remains closed.

It is evident that the particular operating mechanism for reciprocating the rod 13 may be used for operating various other devices than semaphores, and it is also evident that various features of this mechanism may be varied or used independently of other features without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In combination with a signal operating rod, a lever, means for positively moving the same, and connecting means between said lever and said rod and including a link having pivotal connections with said lever at different points along the length of the latter during different portions of the movement of said lever.

2. In combination, a signal operating rod, an operating lever, and connecting means, including a link, lost motion connections between said link and said lever, and means whereby the pivotal center is shifted along said lever during the movement thereof.

3. In combination, a signal operating rod, an operating lever therefor and having a plurality of pivot pins at different distances from the center of movement'thereof, and a link for transmitting motion from said lever to said rod and having operative engagement with different pivot pins during different portions of the movement of said lever.

4. In combination, a vertically-disposed reciprocating signal operating rod, a lever, means for positively moving said lever, a plurality of pivot pins carried by said lever,

and a link for transmitting motion from said lever to said rod, said link having a slot therein for receiving one of said pivot pins and having a projection adapted to engage with another of said pivot pins during a portion of the movement of said lever.

5. In combination, a signal operating rod, a pivoted operating lever, a link connected to said lever, and a toggle joint connecting said link and said rod.

6. In combination, a signal operating rod, a pivoted operating lever therefor, and connections between said lever and said rod, including two links pivotally connected to said rod, two links, each having one end thereof pivotally connected to one of said first-mentioned links, and means connecting said lever to' the opposite end of each of said last-mentioned links.

7. In combination, a signal operating rod, two links pivotally connected thereto, two links, each having one end thereof pivotally connected to one of said first-mentioned links, an operating lever, means for connecting the last-mentioned links to said operating lever, and guides for said pivotal connections, certain of said guides being disposed at an angle to each other.

8. In combination, a vertically-disposed longitudinally-movable signal operating rod, a pivoted operating lever therefor, a link pivotally connected to said lever, a toggle joint connecting said link and said rod, and means for shifting the center of pivotal movement of said link, rod and lever during the movement of the latter.

9. In combination, a signal operating rod, a gear wheel, means for positively driving the same, a pivoted lever having one end thereof operatively connected to said rod, and means for locking the opposite end of said lever to said gear wheel, said means including a pinion carried by the lever and in mesh with said gear wheel, and electricallyoperated means for controlling the rotation of said pinion.

10. In combination, a signal operating rod, an intermittently driven gear wheel, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and having one end pivotally connected to said rod, a pinion carried by the opposite end of said lever and in mesh with said gear wheel, an electromagnet carried by said lever, and means whereby the energizing of said magnet locks said pinion against rotation.

11. In combination, a signal operating rod, a driven gear wheel, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and having one end thereof connected to said rod a pinion at the opposite end of said lever and in mesh with said gear wheel, a cam rotatable with said pinion, an electromagnet carried by said lever, and

means for locking said cam and pinion.

against rotation upon the energizing of said magnet.

12. In combination, a signal rod, a gear wheel, connections for reciprocating said rod upon the rotation of said wheel, an electric motor for rotating said gear wheel, a switch for controlling said motor, and means controlled by said connections for closing said switch when said rod is in one position and opening said switch when said rod is in a second position, said means including a rock shaft, link connections between said rock shaft and said switch, and link connections between said rock shaft and said fi1'stmentioned connections.

In testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification in the presence of 15 two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS FRANCIES MCANDREWS. JOHN E. BLEIBTREY.

Witnesses Josnrn MELAWsER, JAMEs MEEKER. 

